Cancer cases to rise by two-thirds by 2050 globally, WHO warns

Cancer cases are set to rise globally as people live longer, the population is growing and there are exposures to risk factors, such as pollution.

But some countries will carry a higher burden than others, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The biggest increases are estimated in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions with 125.2% and 109.8%, respectively. Due to persisting inequalities, the greatest burden of cancer is foreseen in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

That's because the global cancer picture is “one of profound inequity”.

For example, five-year survival for breast and childhood cancer is over 85% in high-income countries but drops below 45% in low-income countries, according to WHO estimates.